Fifth place in reading ability in the whole of the OECD, only surpassed by Finland, Korea, Canada and Japan.
14 per cent of Irish students reached level five in reading, the highest level where pupils can "complete sophisticated reading tasks". This was also in the top half of the OECD table (see graph).
16th position in maths ability, although Irish students were still above the OECD average.
Ninth position in science, with Austria and Britain the only European countries to do better.
Irish 15-year-olds do 5.4 hours of English, maths and science homework a week, well above the OECD average.
Over 40 per cent of Irish pupils get extra grinds, classes in study skills or extra tuition to help with particular problems. This compared with an OECD average of about 32 per cent.
Report emphasises the importance of reading. Also, Irish girls do better than boys in reading and science.